By Matthew Henry

Seoul, KOREA: First it was non-stick pans, now LG.Philips LCD has produced the world’s first non-stick panel. LCD panel, that is.

The Korean LCD manufacturer has developed a dirt-resistant 15.4-inch TFT-LCD panel for notebook computers featuring a coating similar to that used on non-stick pots and pans which repels dust, smudges, fingerprints and even permanent ink.

The company will initially roll-out 15.4-inch widescreen LCD panels for notebook computers with the special coating, with mass production scheduled to begin in the first half of 2008.

However, the technology could eventually be extended to larger flat panels in the future.

According to the company, TFT-LCD panels usually feature a coating on the surface of the polarizer film, designed to reduce glare and reflections, which has a tendency to hold onto dirt and oil from the user’s fingers.

Although manufacturers can add a second coating to the polarizer film in addition to the glare-reduction coating, this is a time consuming process which slows delivery time and adds to the cost of panels.

LG.Philips LCD claims to have found a way to eliminate this additional step while also delivering superior dirt resistance.

“Our new panel employs a principle similar to that used on non-stick frying pans. Dirt and oil can easily be wiped away,” said LG.Philips LCD’s head of advanced development, Byung-Chul Ahn.

“Like millions of other people, we use notebook computers when traveling on business. Fingerprints have always been an especially big annoyance, and if they are not cleaned off immediately they become even harder remove from the screen. That is why we developed this new technology. At LG.Philips LCD we will continue to develop products that not only meet our customers’ needs but exceed their expectations,” Ahn said.